Another Dark Star

Chapter 49


Two days later Severus, Sadira and Hadrian Snape were announced in the ballroom of Malfoy Manor. Severus had tested her Occlumency and deemed it worthy enough for the occasion. He doubted that the Dark Lord would be testing her too carefully anyway, but he had to be sure.

Whenever Severus had searched her mind for memories of him, she hid away anything that could cast doubt on his allegiance. Instead she presented images of him at Hogwarts; first as her teacher and then as her colleague, memories of them on their wedding day, when Hadrian was born, many memories of them in bed together or in amorous situations. The only thing anyone would be able to discern using Legilimency would be that she loves her husband very much, which any fool with two eyes could see regardless.

Sadira remembered the ballroom well from the New Year’s party she had attended what felt like a lifetime ago, although in reality it had only been a year and a half. It still looked the same, only the mood was more sombre and instead of musicians there was a single gilded chair on the raised platform. She and Severus cast their eyes around the room surreptitiously with an arrogant and slightly bored expression on their faces. She noticed her Aunt Cissy and Cousin Draco stood near the wall. They both looked tired and terrified. The failures of the Malfoy family had clearly cost them dearly.

In honour of the occasion, Severus was wearing his best black dress robes over the black damask frock coat; the same suit he had worn last time they were both in this ballroom. When she had seen what he had chosen, Sadira had decided to also wear the shocking backless dress again, but with more sensible kitten heel shoes this time. As she was still barely showing, the scandalous dress still fit her with only the merest of adjustments.

They dressed Hadrian in very smart, and very cute, navy blue cords with a navy shirt and waistcoat and highly polished black leather boots. Sadie had even managed to tame his fine black hair for the occasion and kept a cloth in her miraculous beaded bag to mop up his dribbling so his best clothes wouldn’t spoil.

Once again she felt the heat of speculative gaze on her. There had been an awful lot of talk amongst the Death Eaters about what Snape’s wife would be like and many of them were surprised. They had been expecting some pinched faced old hag but she was young, fairly good looking and they had all heard rumours that she was a close relative of the former Black sisters. How the hell had he managed to catch her?

As they passed through the room, people noticed, as they had before, the daring back to her dress and the snake tattoo down her back. Some of the new recruits wondered if it were a prerequisite for a high ranking Death Eater’s wife; a mark of ownership. The newly released members; Avery, Nott, Mulciber, Dolohov and Lestrange all eyed the pair with suspicion. All they knew about her was what the Malfoys could tell them and that wasn’t an awful lot.

Narcissa spotted them and, hoping for a friendly face amid the ridicule, made Draco accompany her to them.

“Severus, Sadira, I’m so glad you’re here. And this must be little Hadrian.” She greeted with a wan smile. Sadira choked down her anger over the Vow and forced herself to focus on the pity she felt for her aunt and cousin.

“Narcissa, Draco, good to see you both.” She greeted with as much grace as she could manage.

Snape merely nodded in recognition. He really wasn’t in the mood to socialise today, and especially not with Narcissa. Sadira was pulling out all the stops tonight. She was playing the part of the Pureblood princess and was doing so admirably. She was still wearing the silver cross that connected her to her husband, but apart from that she wore the diamond earrings he had bought her all those years ago and the white gold and diamond tennis bracelet he had given her for their anniversary.

The torchlight glinted off these and her white gold Celtic wedding ring. The overall effect was tasteful but enough to dispel any queries over whether a half-blood teacher could afford to keep a pureblood Black in the manner in which she deserved to be.

“I don’t believe you have met your little nephew yet.” Sadie said, turning Hadrian in her arms to face his aunt.

“Oh my! Severus, he’s the image of you.” Narcissa exclaimed. Even Draco seemed curious about the tot. The whole thing felt like some twisted travesty of a family reunion.

Sadira embraced Draco as usual however, despite what he had inadvertently put her through. He was still just a frightened little boy, just as he had been all those years ago in his first year. While Draco hugged Sadira harder and tighter than he had ever done anyone else, Narcissa held baby Hadrian. Despite her misgivings over Severus and Sadie’s marriage, she adored children; especially babies.

She and Lucius had tried for more children after Draco but after the fifth miscarriage, and despite trying various potions and charms, they decided it was not to be. The disappointment had broken Narcissa’s heart, turning her cold and bitter to all but her precious son and making her prone to spoiling him.

While the Snapes and the Malfoys chatted, their conversation was observed by another in the shadows nearby. Cold, heavy lidded eyes watched with distaste at what her family had been reduced to; pandering to the whims of a filthy half-blood to gain favour.

“So Snape, finally got around to Imperiusing a witch into your bed, eh?” Bellatrix said snidely.

“Charming as ever Bellatrix. I don’t believe you have met my wife; your cousin.” Snape drawled nonplussed.

“Cousin? What does he mean Cissy?” she snapped at her sister.

“Yes, dear Sadira here is Sirius’s daughter. Don’t let that put you off though, she’s a Slytherin through and through; pure blooded and a former Head Girl.” Narcissa explained.

“Oh really?” Bella snapped; but before she could continue her rant, a tall thin cadaverous man entered the room draped in fine quality black robes.

The Death Eaters dropped to one knee reverently and their families followed suit. He bade them rise and began to call them to him one by one. When Severus and his family were called to forward, Voldemort’s face morphed into a cruel looking grin.

“So Severus, this is the woman my Lieutenant deemed worthy to become his wife? Tell me my dear, are you enjoying yourself?” he addressed Sadira directly.

“It is an honour to be here my lord, and to finally meet my true family; denied to me for so long.” She replied obsequiously.

“Ah yes, when I first saw you I was struck by how closely you resemble my dear faithful Bella in her youthful beauty.” Voldemort purred.

Bellatrix seemed incensed at the inference and Sadira smirked. She had been looking forward to getting one up on that scheming bitch. Voldemort turned his attention to the babe in her arms.

“And your son? A fine example of wizarding breeding. What is the child’s name?”

“Hadrian, my lord.” Snape replied from where he stood at Sadie’s side. She was glad to have him beside her, as though she could leach his strength from the close proximity.

“Hadrian. Yes my boy, I shall be watching your progress avidly.” Voldemort said to the clueless tot who was unaware that the most heinous monster that ever lived was stroking his straight black hair like a priest bestowing a benediction.

Sadira and Severus were quite pleased that the Dark Lord showed little immediate interest in the boy. However he was fascinated by Sadira. Why would a pure blooded beauty like her have married an ugly half blood like Snape? He had tested her mind and seen her devotion to her husband, as well as how well Snape had trained her in combat, and was puzzled. He had no understanding of the concept of love and felt secure in the belief that his icy Potions Master felt equally scornful of the sentiment. Snape wasn’t rich so it must have been power that attracted her to him, he surmised.

Voldemort called her closer to him for a private audience and when she passed her son to a proud Snape, Voldemort saw her tattoo. He smiled evilly at the discovery.

“My dear Mrs Snape, what a beautiful mark. Almost as lovely as your husbands.” He remarked, tracing icy cold fingers down her spine.

“Well, I am very proud of my Heritage. We Blacks have been Slytherins for generations, and I am one of the few of our house to have been made Head Girl. Serpents have always fascinated me, ever since I was a girl. I adore snakes.” She replied, thankful that she could tell the whole truth for a change. It would make her lies easier to hide. Voldemort seemed very pleased with her answer.

“In that case, I have someone I should like for you to meet. Come Nagini!” he called and his enormous cobra appeared from where she had been hiding behind his throne and coiled at his feet.

“My lord; she is most beautiful!” she gushed, impressed but also secretly a little horrified. Her mind worked quickly and she knew what she had to do now an opportunity had presented itself.

“My dear child, you may pet her if you wish.” He replied with the air of a doting father bestowing a gift on a cherished daughter.

“May I?” she looked up, genuinely surprised.

Was it a trick? She looked at Severus, who was observing the scene with his usual imperturbable expression. He merely inclined his head slightly in encouragement. In truth, Snape was not at all happy with the way this was going and wondered why the Dark Lord was so interested in his wife.

Sadie tentatively reached out and stroked the warm scales of the venomous creature, smiling to herself. Terrible as Nagini was, Sadira had always loved the feel of a snake’s muscles moving against her skin as they moved. Nagini seemed to enjoy the caress of human hands on her skin, a rare occurrence indeed, save for her master.

“Such an honour my lord, thank you.” She gasped reverently, still in awe of what she had just done.

Her play of servitude pleased the Dark Lord immensely. He was satisfied that he had another powerful Pureblood in his thrall, and he enjoyed having another attractive witch present. He wanted no lover, needed no wife, but he enjoyed having something pretty to look at, be it a witch or fine art.

“And how does a pretty and powerful witch such as yourself come to be married to her Head of House?” Voldemort asked; too low to be heard by her husband.

“My Lord, we found that we share a passion; he tutored me in the Dark Arts, when he noticed my fascination for the more delicate, and illegal, poisons.” She lied deftly. It was after all only a distortion of the truth.

“Poisons?” he asked with interest.

“Yes. It developed from my love of snakes; how they are born with the most complex of toxins at their disposal and yet we must study for years to replicate them.” She elucidated.

“Then allow me to assist you in your quest. Perhaps you could do something impressive with this.” He suggested, waving his Yew wand and conjuring an elaborate crystal vial.
He bent and conversed in Parseltongue with Nagini who consented to allow him to milk her of her venom.

“Thank you my lord. You are a most generous ruler.” She said gratefully.

‘Bingo!’ she thought to herself triumphantly. She secreted the vial in her cleavage for safekeeping, which made Voldemort smile.

“Severus, I have kept your dear wife’s company from you too long. Go, both of you, and enjoy the celebration!” he dismissed them, but watched them go with a thoughtful look.

Bellatrix was livid with jealousy at the attention and favour the Snapes had received, especially Sadira. She believed Snape’s wife was in the running to become the newest female recruit and she hated sharing her beloved Voldemort’s favour with anyone.

The Snapes joined the Malfoys and the Lestranges where they stood.

Severus didn’t have a problem with Rodolphus or Rabastan, but Bellatrix was a thorn in his side. He made small talk with Lucius while Sadira spoke with Draco in hushed tones, mostly about the coming school year. Bellatrix was determined to cut the traitor’s wife down to size.

“So, you’re Sirius’ bastard then?” she began crudely. There was a great deal of wine flowing and the alcohol exacerbated her ire.

“No, my father officially recognised me thanks to the old fool Dumbledore. I am as legitimate as you can get these days.” Sadie retorted.

“So, you’re my aunt Bella?” she asked with a deceptive smile.

“That’s Bellatrix to you, brat!” she snapped. “And you are no niece of mine, we are nothing alike.”

“Oh, of course. The Dark Lord said I look like you used to. How silly of me. Pity you let yourself go over the years; you could have been so beautiful once.” Sadie crooned spitefully. She had her claws out tonight and they were sharp!

“FILTH! Bastard bride of a Half-blood traitor! How dare you?” Bella screeched in a towering rage. Everyone turned to look at her.

“Besides; you’re one to talk about letting yourself go! You’ve been married how long? A year? And already you’re getting fat!” she sneered.

“I’m not fat you moron; I’m pregnant!” Sadie replied indignantly. “And even in this condition I could still kick your worthless arse all over this manor!” she growled.

“Pregnant again? Is that all you’re good for; pushing out Snape’s whelps? How the house of my fathers has fallen!” Bellatrix spat.

Narcissa was shocked at her sister’s attitude, and a little jealous at how quickly and easily Sadira had fallen pregnant again. Snape was concerned for his wife’s safety but had to appear to have complete confidence in her abilities or she would lose some degree of respect with the others. Sadie withdrew her wand and pointed it menacingly in Bella’s face.

“I assure you I am as dangerous now as I ever have been, Lestrange. You would do well to remember that I am not just some silly little girl, but a woman who has been training in combat every day for the last 7 years while you were wasting away in prison!” she growled.

Bellatrix was disappointed and ashamed that a mere slip of a girl had her outmanoeuvred before she could even reach for her wand. Rodolphus glared at Severus with a blend of warning, mistrust and grudging respect. It seemed that Snape had managed to find a more sensible and calculating version of his own Bella and he knew how difficult it was to remain in charge of a marriage to one of the headstrong Black women.

Voldemort was watching with sadistic pleasure. He loved to watch duels and was intrigued to learn the outcome of one between his fanatical follower and Snape’s feisty wife. But he was loath to see Bellatrix seriously hurt over something so petty and he had heard the announcement of the pregnancy. He desperately wanted more children to be brought up to follow him and his beliefs.

“Ladies, please, this is a happy occasion. Let us not fight amongst ourselves.” He said magnanimously.

“I’m sorry my Lord, please forgive me for displeasing you.” Bella said, dropping to her knees before him. “It was her fault. She dared to threaten me; little breeder.”

Sadira merely bowed her head respectfully at his approach but he seemed to deem it enough.

“I apologise my lord; Bellatrix insulted my family. I believe I am entitled to seek satisfaction on such an occasion.” Sadie explained.

Snape came to stand beside her protectively as a show of solidarity. Rodolphus, conversely, ignored Bella; She was on her own as far as he was concerned.

“My dear Bella, what could possibly displease you about the Snape family? Severus has proved himself most loyal and young Sadira is the model of what a wife should be. She is Pureblood, pretty, a fierce fighter from what I have seen. Oh yes Bella, I have seen her thoughts and memories. No one is excused that!” he chastised.

“And she has gifted Severus with a son and another child on the way! More children among us to follow in their parents’ footsteps; more Death Eaters for a glorious future. They will grow up free from the taint of blood traitors and mudblood scum. The muggle lovers increase their number regardless of war; why should not we? Favoured in my eyes are those of you blessed with heirs! Ah that only more of you were so.... mindful of your duty.” He added.

He wanted more of his followers to have children. He hoped they would not all turn out to be useless failures like the Malfoy boy, but Lucius had always been too flighty; interested only in himself and not mindful of the Vision for the future. Snape however was different. He was all business and there was no way he would tolerate failure from his son. Yes, Hadrian Snape would be one for Lord Voldemort to keep a close eye on in the future.

Bellatrix looked like she had just been force fed unicorn turds. Babies?! Those horrid, noisy, smelly pink things? That was what garnered the Dark Lord’s favour these days? She felt disgusted. Everything she had done in His name; torturing, killing, suffering in Azkaban, and all to be upstaged by a younger cousin who had done nothing more spectacular than lie on her back and spread her legs for that ugly grease-ball Snape! Well even if she were still able to, there was no way she was having children now. She would just have to regain his support some other way.

Sadira retrieved Hadrian from Narcissa, who looked relieved at no longer having to stay close to either of her fuming relatives. Instead she took her cue to bustle Draco to his room, excusing them both from the festivities.

“Another child? Well done old man! An heir and a spare. And with such a lovely witch it must have been a pleasure to achieve!” Lucius insinuated to Severus.

“Oh I assure you, it was.” Severus replied, thinking back to his wedding anniversary and how Sadira had awakened a feral lust in him that day. As he replayed their rough and needy coupling in his mind, he looked over at his wife with their child and noticed the colour once again draining from her cheeks.

“Thank you for your hospitality Lucius but I believe it’s time we left.” Snape said abruptly.

Malfoy said nothing in reply; unsure as to whether Snape was being genuine or merely mocking him that the Dark Lord had taken over his home. Severus presented himself to the Dark Lord once again before leaving. Part of the celebration had been in honour of Severus being instated as Headmaster and it wouldn’t do to insult Voldemort by leaving without a word.

“My lord, I regret to say that I must take my leave of this illustrious gathering too early. My wife suffers with our second child and I must get her home to rest and take her potions.” Snape said.

“Very well Snape, off you go.” Voldemort said dismissively. He looked bored and that didn’t bode well. Good job Sadie had provided them with an excellent excuse to escape.
Severus returned to her side and informed her that they were leaving. She looked up at him with an expression of gratitude and relief. He granted her a brief half-smile in return and held on to her and Hadrian tightly as they performed the joint apparition together.


They arrived in the upstairs hall outside Hadrian’s room.

“You oughtn’t have started on Bella you know.” He warned softly while she changed Hadrian into his pyjamas and Accio’d his evening feed. She fed him and put him in his cot, tucked up with his dragon.

“I know, but the bitch got on my nerves. Just because He decided to take an interest in me!” Sadie replied while she got undressed in their room and put on her slinky black satin negligee; her favourite.

“That’s another thing I don’t like. Why was he so interested in you?” he asked while he undressed.

He received no reply as she moved to the bathroom to wash off her heavy makeup and brush her teeth. While she was otherwise disposed, he wrapped himself in his dressing gown and went down to the cellar to retrieve her potions.

When he came back, she was sat up in bed holding a small vial of a milky substance, looking at it with a calculating expression.

“The venom?” he asked, handing her a mug of anti-emetic potion blended with a nutritive draught.

“Mmm.” She replied, still thinking, as she put it down and began to sip at her medication. By the time Severus had washed up and brushed his teeth she had finished it.

“What do you intend to do with it?” he asked her, meaning Nagini’s poison.

“I need to get hold of a copy of my Uncle Arthur’s hospital notes. If I can do that, I can work on the formula for the anti-venom; make it more effective and faster acting. If that could be achieved, then I could leak the notes to the Order.” She suggested.

“How? The Order has turned on me and as you haven’t spoken to any of them since...” He didn’t want to say Dumbledore’s death. It was still painful. “Surely they know where your loyalties lie also?” He asked.

“My whole family, my real family; the Weasleys, are in the Order. One of them is sure to hear me out. Besides, technically I have been in touch with them this summer.” She replied. He hadn’t known that.

“Oh really? Who, and when?” he asked.

“Our Bill got married last week. I sent him a letter before the wedding wishing him all the best and telling him I wished that I could be there, but that I would stay away so as not to cause conflict on his happy day.” She explained.

He moved closer to her in their bed, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her head onto his chest comfortingly.

“Did he reply?” he asked softly.

“No, but I heard the wedding was crashed by Death Eaters. I didn’t expect him to.” She replied.

“I’m sorry you have fallen out with your family. I know how much they mean to you.” He said sadly. He felt guilty for being the cause of the rift.

“You are my family; you and Hadrian and our little one on the way. There is no way I wouldn’t take your side and they knew this.” She explained.

She felt a little upset, thinking of Molly and Arthur who had been like parents to her, and Ginny and the twins who she had always been fond of, Bill and Charlie who had always protected her. She realised there was every chance that she might not see them again.

Severus noticed the down turn in her mood and held her tightly, his large slender hands enjoying the feel of her soft nightgown.

“They will come around, I am sure of it. Hopefully soon this war will be all over and everyone can start to rebuild their lives.” He assured her with a confidence he didn’t feel. His soft, calm voice soothed her like being stroked with a velvet glove. She looked up at him gratefully, her soft green eyes glistening in the dim candlelight with her unshed tears.

“I am very proud of you Sadira.” He said, before leaning in to kiss her gently. He loved her so much, and she needed him then. She clung to him desperately as her world fell apart and he put out the lights. Slowly they moved together and all thoughts of war and darkness left them.